Gun



May 9, 1933. SMITH 1,908,070

GUN

Filed Jan. 30, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT R ELMEF? HSMITH iga vnm ATTOHNEY5 E. H. SMITH May 9, 1933.

GUN

Filed Jan. 30, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR H m w m M O 6 Q mp Mfi m/ m INVENTOR ELMEF? H. SMITH @My, @& M

' ATTORNEYS ELNIEIR, H. SMITH to provide tion means being provided for igniting said and one which may of producing a very casing and the Patented May 9, 1933 UN r-ensraras PATENT OFF- c or Mrnivnnroms, MnvnEso'rA, AssIeNon T SMITH WELDING EQUIPMENT CQRPQRATIUH, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MIHNESOTA, CORPORATIQN OF ,DELAWARE- GUN Application filed January 30, 1931. Serial No. 512,279. 7

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in guns and more particularly to a, gun adapted to make a loud report.

An object of the invention is to provide a gun includinga casing having a chamber therein communicating with a container adapted to contain an explosive agent such, for example, as acetylene, said chamber having a plunger mounted therein, whereby a mixture of acetylene and air may be drawn into the chamber'and ignited to produce a loud detonation.

1 A further object is to provide a toy gun comprising a casing having a barrel provided at one end thereof and a generator being adapted to be mounted independently.- of said casing and having a conduit connecting it with a chamber provided within said casing, and a plunger being mounted within said chamber and adapted to be manipulated to direct a portioncof gas from said generator into the chamber, and-also whereby a portion of air may be drawn into the chamber through said barrel and mixed with said gas an explosive mixture, and an ignimixture to cause the detonation thereof.

A further object is to provide a toy gun capable of developinga very loud detonation, be operated with safety by children, and which will be economical in use, The primary object of the invention there fore is to providean improved. gun capable loud report, adapted for use as a safe toy gun, and which may also be used as a saluting gun.

Features of the invention reside in the general constructionof the gun including the barrel, and the proportioning of these parts, which are such that when the plunger is operated, the proper proportions of acetylene and air may be drawn into the chamber to provide a highly explosive charge; in the construction of the plunger and the ignition means supported thereon; in the construction of the generator and its connection with the explosive chamber of the un; in the construction of the-tripod or support upon'which the gun is mounted; in the charge to be 4 1s a cross sectlonal view on the provision of means whereby the gun maybe supported upon the sill of an automobile window; and in the general construction of the gun, tripod and generator as a whole, which is-such as to provide avery simple and inexpensive apparatus which may be manufactured at a very small cost.

Otherobjects ofthe invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims; v I In the accompanying drawings, there'has been disclosed a structure designedto carry out the variousobjects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes maybe made within the scope of the claims which follow. 1n the drawings, Y I V Figure 1 is'a view'illustrating the gun mounted upon its support and also showing the generator connected therewith; r

Figure 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the barrel showingthe plunger in its-nor mal'position; Figure 3 isa similar view showing the plunger manipulated to cause an explosive drawn into the chamber; Figure line t[-it of'Figure 2, showing-the means for niovably supporting the gun upon its Figure 5 is a detail sectional view ofone end of the ing the head or closure to the end of the casing; I

Figure 6 1s a cross sectional vlewonthe 11ne 6-'6 of Flgure 3;

gun to show the means for secur- 1,.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line7'7 of Figure 8; Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional-view on the'line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showing the connection between the flexible conduit and the cover or closure forthe generator; f

Figure 10 is'a detail view showing a modifiedform of a cap or closure for the end of the casing; I

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a bracket whereby the gun maybe supported rod 7 is provided with a V portupon which the gun which will subsequently be is substantially axially alined with the cash1g2. l i I V A plunger 5 is mounted within the chamber defined by the casing 2, and comprises a suitable cup packing 6, shown secured to one end of a tubular rod 7 by meansbf a threaded plug 8 received in threaded engagement with the end of the rod 7, and discs 9 and 10 between which the packing 6 is clamped by the plug 8. The opposite end of the rod 7 is slidably supported in a closure or cap 11 inserted in the end of the casing 2 and secured thereto by such means as screws 12, shown in Figure 5. Suitable air passages 13 are provided in the cap 11 to permit air to circulate freely therethrough when the plunger is manipulated. The outer end of the tubular threaded plug 14 havingan aperture therein.

The ignition means, consists of a rod 15,

having one end slidably supported in the plug 14 and its opposite end similarly supportedin the plug 8. The inner end portion 16 of this rod. is provided with a plurality of fine teeth which, in appearance, look very much like the teeth of a file. These teeth are adapted to engage a flint 17 supported in a flexible holder 18 suitably secured to the disk 9, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. A suitable spring 19 is coiled about the rod 15 and has one end seated against the plug 14 and its opposite end against a small pin 21 secured in the rod 15. This spring constantly urges the rod 15 in a direction towards the barrel 4 and normally retains the rod 15 in the position shown in Figure 2. The rod is provided with a suitable finger grip 20. r An important feature of this invention resides in the construction of a gun capable of using acetylene or a similar gas as an explosive agent and whereby said gas may be generated in a generator mounted independently of the gun. As illustrated in Figure 1, a smallgenerator 22 constructed in very much the same manner as an ordinary paint can, is provided which has a cover 23 adapted to be secured thereto by friction. A nipple 24 is provided on the cover 23 adapted tobe inserted in one end of a conduit 25, preferably of flexible material such as rubber; The opposite end of the conduit is attached to a nipple26 provided on the head 3 of the casing 2. The conduit 25 is preferably sufiiciently long to permit the generator 22 to be positioned upon the floor adjacent to the supis supported and described.

- through When the gun is to be used, the generator is partially filled with water, as shown in Figure 1, and a small piece of carbide is dropped into the water, after which the cover 23 is secured to the generator. The chemical reaction between the carbidefand water forms an acetylene gas which will find its way up the conduit 25 into the interior of the head 3. VVhenthe plunger is pulled backwards, by the operatorgrasping the finger grip 20, the acetylene will be drawn into the chamber defined by the casing 2 and, at the same time, air will be drawn from the atmosphere into the chamber through the barrel 4,

which will intermix with the acetylene and provide a highly explosivegas. When the plunger reaches the position shown in Figure 3, the tubular rod 7 will come to rest and the ignition rod 15 may then'be relatively moved within the tubular rod 7 against the tension of the spring 19 until. the'spring is 001m pressed. When the operator releases his grip upon the linger grip 20, the spring 19 will thrust the rod forwardly,"whereupon the teeth 16 at the other end of'the rod 15 will frictionally engagethe flint 17 and cause a spark to be generated which will ignite the gaseous mixture of acetylene and air and result in the detonation thereof. The operator may then move the plunger forwardly, whereupon the burnt gases within thecasing will be expelled therefrom through the barrel 4, so that when the plunger is again moved backwards to the position shown in Figure 3, a fresh charge'will be drawn into the chamber and the gun may again be fired.

For convenience, the casing 20f the gun is movably mounted upon a suitable support in the form of a tripod, comprising a plurality of legs 27 suitably secured to a head 28 by such means as screws 29. The legs 27 and head 28 are formed from comparatively light sheet material, whereby they may be manufactured at a very small cost by means ofa suitable punch press. A reinforcing plate or member 31, here shown, of triangular formation, is provided in the lower portion of the head 28 and has projections 32 adapted to be received in small slits provided in the depending walls of the head 28, as shown in Figure 8. These projections are bent downwardly, as shown in Figure'l, to prevent spreading of the walls.

Alined apertures 33 and 34 are provided in the upper wall of the head 28 and reinforcing member 31, respectively, adapted toreceive a shaft 35 having a flat head 36 adapted to be clamped between the end portions 37 and 38 of a clamping member 39. This clamping member encircles the casing 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable bolt 41 provided with a wing nut 42, traverses alined apertures in the end portions 37 and 38 of the clamping member, and thehea d 36, and provides means for securing the casing to the atmosphere.

pivot in adjusted angular position. A bolt 43 secures the clamping member to the casing as will readily be understood by refer ence to igure 4. By mounting the gun as above described, it may be'manipulated upon its support in a manner similar to a machine gun, the flexible conduit 25 connecting the casing with the generator permitting the casing to be moved relatively thereto.

The head 3 and barrelt are so proportioned that when the plunger is drawn backwards to load the gun, volumes of air and acetylene are drawn into the gun in the proper proportions to produce an explosive mixture within the chamber defined by the casing 2 By using acetylene mixed-with air as an explosive, there is no appreciable pressure developed within the gun when the latter is-fired, and the recoil is almost negligible. It is also to, be' understood that because of'the rapid explosion of the air and acetylene, the operator may hold his hand comparatively close'to the mouth of the barrel without danger of receiving a burn. 5

The plunger, in addition to providing means for loading the gun, also acts as a purger to expel the burnt gases from the explosionchamber. In actual performance,tI, have found that by placing a small lump of carbide about the size of a, small walnut'in the water within the generator 22, enough acetylene will be generated to produce ap proximately thirty-five detonations. There is no danger connected with the generation of acetylene in the generator '22 disclosed in this inventionbecause the small quantity of carbide delivered into the water in the generator does not produce enough acetylene to form an inflammable mixture within a large chamber, suchas a room, and an explosion outside of the gun is practically impossible. Furthermore, if the cover 23 is removed from the generator 22, and the gases emanating therefrom are ignited, they will burn in the form of a dull smoky flame which can be quickly put out, either by blowing or by replacing the cover on the generator.

The heat developed by. the reaction between the carbide and the water in the generator 22 is very little, and from actual experience I'have found that the generator does not become more thanluke warm. Thesmall quantity of carbide. used in the generator each time it is charged soon becomes ineffective as it generates acetylene, even though the gun is not being used. If the gun is not being used, the acetylene forming within the generator will pass upwardly through the conduit 25 and escape through the barrel to the If the operator accidentally over-charges the generator with carbide to the-extent that-the conduit 25 is not large' enough toconvey the generated acetylene,'the cover 23 of the generator may be blown off, but not, with sufficient forceQto cause injury;

Fresh carbide is, of course, kept in a-separate can in a dry place and is absolutely safe under such conditions. The gun provides the utmost in safety in devices 'of'this character and also provides a Very economical noise-making apparatus. Asan ad'ditional safety measure, a pairof small cross wires or rods 44 and; 4:5 aresecured inthemouth of thetbarrel'to prevent persons from filling the barrel with paper wads and other material for the purpose-of projecting it therefrom when-the gun is fired.

It is also to be noted'that the diameters of the discs 9 land 10 are such as to permit-the cupshaped-packing 6 to flex suflicientlyto permit expanding gases'to escape there-past, should the operator, in someway, plug the barreliso that the gases couldnot escape therefrom when thegun was fired. In experimenting with this gun,-Ihalve found thatby 3, and 5. 'This cap is securedtothe'casing 2 by-means of bayonet slots 47 and pins4;8.'

Figures 111 and.12 illustrate a holder 'lor support for the'gun, whereby itmay be-deautomobile. This holder comprises -a-- U shaped metallic member 49 having spaced walls 51 and 52 adapted to straddle'the'win dow sill. The walls 51 and 52 and the upper wall 53 of the member arepreferablyalined I with a suitable material 54 such asjf elt, to

prevent the holder from'scratching or martring the finish of the window sill; 1 Lugs 55 and 56 are struck out of the metal provided with suitably'alined apertures 57 adapted to receive the pivot pin 35 shown in Figure 4:. When using the holder'49, the gun'maybe supported as shownin Figure 12, and fired from the window ofthefauto mobile.v .When thussupported, the genera tor 22 may be supported uponthe floor-of the automobile or in any other convenientl'of cation, it being understood, of course, that i the conduit 25. is of the proper length to con in place of the head 11,-shown in Figures 2, r

mountably attached to-the window sill ofan ilo constituting the wall 52, and these lugs are nect the generator'with the head 3 'offthe I claim as my invention: l

1. Agun includinga casing provid d with a barrel, said casing having chamberthere-- in, an acetylene generator I connected with said chamber, means mounted for reciprocal movement within said casing whereb'ypor tions of acetylene and air may be drawn into a said chamber to provide an explosiveg'as, and

chamber, an acetylene generatoradapted to be supported independently of said casing and barrel, a conduit connecting saidgen- 'erator with said chamber, means whereby said plunger may be operated to deliver portions of acetylene and air into the chamber to provide an explosive charge, and means r onusaid plunger operating means whereby said charge maybe ignited to cause the detonation thereof. 1

A gun including a casing having a chamberitherein, a plunger within said chamber provided with an operating rod projecting from one end of the casing, means whereby when said plunger is moved in one direction,lan explosive charge may be drawn into said chamber, and means carried by said plunger whereby said explosive charge may be ignited to cause the detonation thereof.

#4. A gun including a casing having a chamber therein, a plunger within said chamber provided with an operating rod projecting froinone end of the casing, means whereby .when said plunger. is moved in one direction, an'explosive charge may be drawn into said chamber, means carried. by said plunger wherebysaid explosive charge -may be ignited to cause the detonation thereof, and said plunger purging said chamber, when movedwin the opposite direction.

A gun includingla casing having a chamber therein, a plunger within said chamber provided with an operatingrod projectingfrom one end of the casing, means whereby.wlien said plunger is moved in. one direction, an explosive charge may be drawn into said chamber, means for igniting said charge to cause the detonation thereof, and means on said operating rod for actuating "said igniting means, said plunger being adapted to purge the chamber when returned to its normal position.

6. A gun including a casing having a chamber therein, a plunger movable within said chamber, a head secured to one end of the "casing, a barrel secured to said head and communicating with said chamber, an acetylene generator,a conduit connecting said generator withsaid head, means whereby said plunger may be operated to draw portions of acetylene and air into the chamber to provide an explosive charge, and means carried by the plunger for igniting said gas and cause the detonation thereof.

V 7. A gun including a casing provided at one end with a barrel, said casing having a chamber the diameter of which is relatively greater than that of said barrel, a plunger movable in said chamber, an acetylene generator, a flexible conduit connecting said generator with said chamber, whereby when said plunger is operated in one direction, acetylene will be drawn into said chamber and, at the same time, air will be drawn into said barrel and intermixed with the acetylene to provide an explosive charge, and a device carried by the plunger adapted to generate a spark to ignite said gas to cause the detonation thereof. V

8. A gun including a casing provided at one end'with a head, the diameter of which is relatively smaller than the diameter of the casing, a barrel secured to said head and having a smaller diameter than the diameter of said: head, a'plunger movable in said chamber, an acetylene generator, a conduit connecting said generator with said head, where by when said plunger isoperated in one direction, acetylene will be drawn into said head and, at the same time, air will be drawn thereinto through said barrel, said portions of acetylene and air being mixed in said head and delivered to said chamber in the form of anexplosive charge, and a device carried by the plunger adapted to. generate a spark to ignite said gas to cause the detonation there.

9. A gun including a casing having a barrel secured to one end thereof and a closure provided at its opposite end, said casing having a chamber therein, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within said chamber and carrying an ignition means, means Whereby when said plunger is operated in one direction, an explosive charge will be drawn into said chamber, and means for manually actuating said ignition means whereby the explosive charge in said chamber may be detonated. i H 10. A gun including a casing having a barrel secured to one end thereof and a closure provided at its opposite end, said casing having a chambertherein, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within said chamber and provided with a tubular operating rod slidably supported in said closure, whereby said plunger may be operated to deliver an explosive charge to said chamber, an ignition means, and means supported within said tubular operating rod adapted to actuate said ignition means to cause the detonation of said explosive charge.

11. A gun including a casing having a barrel secured to one end thereof and a closure provided at its opposite end, said casing having a chamber therein, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movementwithin said chamber" and carrying an ignition means, means whereby when said plunger is operated in one directioman explosive charge will be drawn into said chamber, means for actuating said ignition means whereby the explosive charge in said chamber may be detonated, and means for supporting said casing and permitting universal movement thereof.

12. A gun including a casing having a 5 chamber therein, a plunger movably mounted within said chamber, an acetylene generator, a conduit connecting said generator with said chamber, whereby when said plunger is operated in one direction, acetylene will be drawn into said chamber and, at the same time, air will be drawn thereinto through said barrel to provide an explosive charge, means carried by said plunger adapted to ignite said gas and cause the detonation thereof, and a support for said casing having means permitting universal movement of the gun thereon.

13. A gun including a casing having an elongated chamber therein normally open to the atmosphere at both ends, means connecting one end of said chamber with a supply of gas located remote from the chamber, means by which a suction may be created in said chamber to cause a mixture of gas andair to be drawn into the chamber, and means for ibgniting the gaseous mixture in said cham- 14. A gun including a casing having a chamber therein communicating with the atmosphere, means connecting said chamber with a supply of gas located remote from the chamber, means movably mounted in said chamber by which acharge of gas and air may be drawn into the chamber, and means carried by said movable means and by which the charge in said chamber may be ignited. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of January, 1931.

ELMER H. SMITH. 

